Shadow figure in my flat - happening more frequently

This is going to sound absolutely bonkers but I need to write it down before I convince myself it didn't happen. I've been living in my Brixton flat for about two years with zero issues, but since late September I've been seeing this shadow figure in my peripheral vision. Not a person-shaped shadow, more like a darker patch of nothing, if that makes sense.

It started happening maybe once a month, just out of the corner of my eye. Now it's happening at least twice a week. I'll be watching telly or reading in bed and I'll catch movement, turn my head, and there's just... a shadow. Not a draft, not a trick of the light (I've checked everything), and it disappears when I look directly at it.

I'm not on any medication, I'm not stressed more than usual, and honestly I'm starting to get properly unsettled. Has anyone experienced something similar? And more does anyone know what this might be?

That's classic peripheral vision stuff, mate. Our brains are wired to detect movement in our peripheral vision because of predator instinct - it's why you always think you see things out of the corner of your eye. More likely to happen if you're tired or anxious. Have you been sleeping poorly?

I had something similar in my old flat in Hackney. Turned out to be a mouse running behind the skirting board. The pattern of movement was always just at the edge of my vision. Once I got an exterminator in, it stopped. Might be worth checking for rodents?

Could be a spirit presence, could be your brain playing tricks - hard to say without seeing it myself. But the fact that it's increasing in frequency is worth noting. Have you had any emotional upheaval recently? Major life changes? Sometimes entities are attracted to that kind of energy.

Get a thermal camera and a basic EMF meter - they're not expensive. Set up in the room and record for a few hours at night. If there's something genuinely paranormal there, you might pick up anomalies. If it's just your brain, at least you'll have evidence and can stop worrying.

I'd see a GP before going full paranormal investigation mode, if I'm honest. Rule out the medical stuff first - eye problems, blood pressure issues, even vitamin deficiencies can cause weird peripheral vision stuff.